Byodo-In Temple - Japanese Temple in Hawaii
The Valley of the Temples is tucked away in a beautiful valley in the 2,000-foot Koolau Range, surrounded by lush forests. Valley of the Temples is the last resting place for many of Hawaii's deceased, and its mountainous terrain is dotted with hundreds of newly planted tropical flowers, such as torch ginger and bird of paradise, to commemorate loved ones.
The primary attraction in the Valley of the Temples is a Japanese temple known as Byodo-in, which translates to "Temple of Equality." It is one of the most visited temples in the world. Byodo-in, a replica of a temple in Uji, Japan, that was constructed completely without nails, was dedicated in 1968 to commemorate the centenary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in Hawaii. The Japanese garden complex that contains Byodo-in was meticulously designed by renowned Kyoto landscape architect Kiichi Toemon Sano, who paid close attention to every detail, from the ripple-like pattern of the gravel to the tiny bridges across the fishpond.
In the peaceful temple grounds, the deep drone of the holy bell (bon-sho) can be heard, since it is usual for visitors to ring the bell before entering the temple in order to bring happiness and longevity to themselves and their families. It takes two people to draw and release a wooden log known as a shu-moku in order to ring the five-foot-tall, three-ton brass bell. Inside the Byodo-in, a gold-leaf-covered Buddha stands 18 feet tall, and visitors are invited to burn incense and give a prayer. Peacocks and black swans may be seen roaming the garden grounds, while turtles can be found relaxing near the pond. The temple's pond is also stocked with koi, a kind of Japanese ornamental fish that is seen as a sign of friendship and love.
There are many hidden gems in Hawaii, but the Valley of the Temples is truly a special one. There are no other places where you can see an authentic Japanese temple, situated against the gorgeous backdrop and towering Koolau Mountains which makes this valley more than just memorable; it will fulfil your heart.
